News
Oil Pollution: Stop Consuming Sea Food, Experts Warn Ogonis
Oil spill and environmental experts from Canada, yesterday, called on Ogoni residents who have no alternative to relocate from their affected oil spill locality to stop consuming sea food and contaminated water from the river.
The environmental activists made the call during awareness programme on Environmental Remediation, Clean-up Technologies and Safety Training organised by Nesdumo Worldwide Solutions Limited.
The programme, which attracted youth from Ogoni communities in the four local government areas of Tai, Khana, Gokana and Eleme, took place at First Eleme Millennium Hotel, Rivers State.
Speaking at the training event, an oil spill expert from Canada, Lawrence Neufeld, said the best way to avoid critical future health challenge is to cut off from the water source and stop consumption of sea food.
He acknowledged that there was usually oil spill in any oil producing area, including Canada, but added that there was need for emergency remedy even as the Federal Government has showed political will to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme |(UNEP) report.
Neufeld said: “You must be trained to understand your environment, but some of the community members are at risk. Because even as survey has showed that the environments they are living in are polluted, yet they still live there.
“The government of Nigeria should help them out; they are poor. So, they continue searching for food in the river and drinking contaminated water. If they are healthy today, the future of their children is at risk. They should stop eating sea food,” he noted.
One of the speakers, Dr. Babatunde Bernard Bolaji, who advocated for the need to provide potable clean water and health facilities to the affected rural communities, emphasised that the training was to expose Ogoni youth to the technicalities involved in the clean-up process.
He also said the locals from the spill affected areas will be massively engaged in the process, while encouraging them to make good use of the opportunity for the sole purpose and not for money making.
Bolaji said: “It is a sensitization programme for the forthcoming spill clean-up in Ogoni land. The programme is tailored towards sensitizing the youth and preparing their mind so that they can be involved technically and professionally when the process starts.
“This is a professional exercise and the training is scientific. It is time to remove politics and face the clean-up squarely.”
On the health of those still drinking contaminated water, Bolaji said, “Benzene is a carcinogen, that means it can cause cancer, if they are inhaling benzene or drinking the water. It has the capacity to cause all kinds of cancer.
“The carcinogens are mutagen. Being a mutagen means, it can interact with the genetic makeup of a person. So, during that time, it means it can change the genetic composition of a person.
“So, if it removes the genetic material that is responsible for forming your arm, then it means you will be born without an arm. If it affects the one responsible for your nose, then it means you will be born without a nose,” he explained.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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